Just call yourself Muslim

Some people insist that Muslims should call themselves only Muslims without referring to themselves as Sunni, Salafi, Sufi etc.

This is fine because essentially anyone that declares the testimony of faith becomes a Muslim straight away. So we are all Muslims whatever labels come after.

The reason why there seems to be an added label of identification is for the purpose of giving clarity if needed. Most non-Muslims would not know the difference between a Salafi Hizbi or a Salafi Madkhali or a Deobandi but these terms are common amongst Muslims.

Whenever we deal with non-Muslims it makes no sense to confuse them with these added labels, and it is sufficient to refer to oneself simply as a Muslim. There issue and concern is not the detailed differences between Muslims but rather belief in God and who is Allah. There concern should be the status of the Quran and the life of the Prophet and how Islam is considered a better way of life.

For others of an advanced knowledge, of the different types of Muslims, you may find that in some cases added clarity is needed. And even if you do not refer to yourself using these labels you will soon find that someone will use it for you, to refer to you and your persuasion. Because anyone with a basic knowledge of Islam and Muslims will know after a little while of conversation what type of Muslim you are.

The problem with labels is that often people use these labels about other people thinking that by the label they have summed up and identified the person they are referring to in detail.

In actual fact often you will find that a label is just a general term of address and cannot be used for detailed issues for those falling under that label. For example the term Shia is a general term of address for those that claim to follow the Prophetic example through his Ahlul Bayt.

But Shias are different, some agree with some practices while others do not. There are general accepted beliefs like the main one of Ali being the selected and intended successor to the Prophet for example. So it would be unfair to use a label like this to brand every single shia with the impression that they are all the same. It does not work for Sunnis or Salafis and nor does it work for shias.

So as for the saying just call yourself Muslim the answer would be yes and no. Yes because most of us do anyway and no because this saying seems to suggest that there is something wrong with all these terms and labels. If people are saying that the labels are causing division then this is a matter of dispute. Misunderstanding and stereotyping causes division and not a name or label by themselves. Just erasing all these names and labels is not going to solve the problem. And some of there terms where even used in the Quran and by the Prophet himself.

In any case it is a matter of discresion and wisdom and where fit you use the appopriate terminology.